The scout that discovered Southampton forward Sam Gallagher has backed him to go from strength to strength after breaking into the first team.

John Jamesis quoted in the Daily Echo comparing him to Tottenham's Harry Kane, who is currently leading the Premier League goalscoring charts along with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero and was recently given his first England cap - which he celebrated with a goal.

Gallagher may have been sidelined from the Saints first team this season with a knee injury, but he made a positive impression last term when he was given his debut by Mauricio Pochettino – making a total of 20 appearances and scoring two goals - and is now getting game time for the under-21's.

James said: “I’m expecting big things from Sam. You don’t get many 18-year-old strikers doing well in the Premier League so to be playing at that level at that age, like he did last season, means you have to have something special.

“And Sam will only get better. He hasn’t had Harry Kane’s experience but Kane’s got three years on him and before this season no-one had heard of him.”

For Gallagher to be picked as frequently as he was last season shows there is a lot of talent to him - like there is with several members of the Southampton side who have been part of the club’s youth system.

The comments from James may put a little more pressure on Gallagher, but if can have half the impact that Kane has had on the Premier League at Spurs, then Southampton will owe a debt of thanks to the man that helped to discover him.

Ian Bolland

A journalism graduate of Liverpool John Moores University. During his time at university, Ian spent time on work experience at local newspapers in Liverpool, Bolton and Wigan, and prior to that he did work for The Observer's 'fans verdict'. Ian also has interests in news, current affairs and business but mostly sport, including football, rugby league, cricket, golf and Formula 1, amongst others.